You all have such creative ideas! I love them! Especially the mohawk one. XD

In some states, you have to wear a helmet if you are under 18. It's the law.... I always wear a helmet while riding, and I plan on wearing one even as an adult. There are so many risk worth taking, but this definitely isn't one of them.

I do not wear a helmet but may take that up! My two stable buddies wear them. If I was taking my grandchildren - yes they would be wearing a helmet.

TBI is something I don't want to ever have. My husband was in an accident 4 years ago...not his fault...entirely the other persons, but he is the one left with TBI and therefore so am I. Even after he has "recovered" he still has issues and we are planning another surgery to repair issues. OK...talked my ownself into a helmet. I think I will be ordering one soon. I am not riding right now as I am recovering from surgery!

I grew up riding bikes, skiing down mountain slopes without wearing a helmet. Now you rarely see a biker who does not have a helmet on. And helments have become very common on the ski runs. That said, I don't wear a helmet very often while skiing or horse riding.

If I'm pushing the limits of my skills skiing, Then I will put a helmet on, But most days any more, I'm just out to enjoy the mountains, not see how fast I can fly down the mountain. The same is true for the horses. If I go do an endurance ride, where I will be around 100 strange horses, Yes I wear a helmet. A pack trip into the Uinta Wilderness, No I'm nore worried about a good hat to keep the sun off my face and the rain off my neck. I ride my horses a lot while hunting each fall. It's impossible to have a helmet on and try to sight thru a scope on a rifle.

My daughters and any of their friends ALWAYS wore a helmet. I found they didn't have the strength or skills to control the horses. Where I have sat out some pretty good bucks over the years and brought my horse under control and think I have some pretty good horsemanship skills to catch my horse before they even spook or blow up. Kids on the other hand, don't have those skills to control the horse and don't have the strength to hold on or the balance. And usually come off on the first buck. So the rule was that they always wear a helmet.

Every Monday pick up the paper and read about an ATV rider with a head injury from over the weekend. With and without helmets. But horse injuries are very assorted. Article last week about a woman who was heading back to Kentucky to compete on the national level. Giving her horse a "Quick ride" before loading it into the trailer. horse stumbled and she came off and broke her back. She is a paraplegic now. Article was about her recovery and dealing with a life changing event. One a year ago there a very accomplished barrel racer was ridding her horse across the street. Horse slipped on the asphalt and went down, Breaking the riders neck and killing her. A good friend of mine, horse spooked and went off a cliff, he broke his back in 5 places, he recovered, but still has back pain and problems. Helmets didn't stop those accidents and didn't prevent the injuries. Accidents happen around horses and the best horsemen. And head injuries are a possibility, but not the only risk.

It's a life style with risk that we have chosen to embrace. Each of us has a different comfort level. Each of has has a different skill level and the quality of our horses varies, So we have to choose for ourself. But I made the rule that kids wear helmets. I felt the risk to kids was much higher and should be addressed. And my daughters and their friends never questioned it. While I finished tacking up their horses, The girls always rounded up their helmets.

It is against the Law here in Australia not to wear a helmet on public roads, trails etc. and we can be heavily fined if riding without one. We also have to wear helmets in Pony Club, Riding Clubs, all Jumping Sports, Hacking, Children under 16 have to wear one in Western disiplines, and the EFA is now looking at helmets to be worn by all levels of dressage.

I never rode with an helmet when was younger, it was never even thought of. But with my 3 children they have always worn helmets and body vests when riding, I too have now always ridden in a helmet for the past 19 years and it has saved my life more than once.

So YES I believe that your children should wear a helmet at all times whilst riding thier horses/ponies. Your son will get used to it after awhile and it will then not be a problem..

There are so many threads about helmet yes, helmet no. I just don't see the big issue. Helmets are so easy to wear. I realize in some cases it won't work, such as the guy who said he was hunting and couldn't sight a gun with a helmet on. But mostly a helmet is really no bother at all. It's easy. Easy to just say yes. Easy to wear.

It comes down to you having a choice. Riding facilities, boarding barns etc. if helmets are required then so be it, liability. But on my personal time and space, I prefer to make my own choice. I don't need someone else telling me what they think is best for my situation.

It is against the Law here in Australia not to wear a helmet on public roads, trails etc. and we can be heavily fined if riding without one.

You say that like you think it's good? That's sad and if you think it's ok for a government entity to mandate a helmet while riding a horse, it's sadder yet. What ever happened to personal liberty and accountability?

There was nothing in Angelina's post that indicated she was or wasn't in favor of 'big gubmint gettin' in her bidness'. She merely pointed out the information that it's a law in Oz, not that she thought it was right or wrong.

You asked for opinions about having your children wear helmets, and we've told you. If you don't want to make your son wear a helmet, that's entirely up to you. He may or may not get thrown, fall off, or have the horse slip while under saddle, but I'd think as a parent you'd like to make sure your children are as safe as possible while they're engaged in dangerous activities.

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